Jake holding Sailer's bacon, which has been named a three-time national grand champion.
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Sailer's Food Market and Meat Processing, Elmwood, Wis., won national recognition at the American Cured Meat Championships (ACMC) held July 26-28 in St. Paul, in conjunction with the 73rd convention of the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP). The ACMC annually draws hundreds of entries from across the entire United States. This year there was a record 1,023 entries in 26 product categories.

Sailer's was awarded 1st place, Grand Champion, in the Semi-Boneless Ham and Flavored Meat Snack Stick classes; 2nd place, Reserve Grand Champion, in the Emulsified Frankfurters class; 3rd place, Champion in the Lightweight Bacon, Restructured Jerky, and Meat Snack Stick classes; and 4th place, Reserve Champion, in the Heavyweight Bacon, Country Bacon, and Ring Bologna classes. Sailer's also won the Cured Meat Excellence Award, which goes to the company who earns the most accumulated points throughout the competition as they received nine awards on the 19 products entered. All entries are judged on aroma, flavor eye appeal, color and texture.

Two judges on this year's panel had River Falls connections: Steve Watters, Ph.D., from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and Dean Henderson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of UW-RF.

Sailer's is a member of the American Association of Meat Processors, the nation's largest trade organization representing small businessman in the meat/food related industry.